Rotary engine.



No. 887,463. PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

J. W. COOPER. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED 16.24, 1907.

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' Y afloznm g No. 887,463. PATBNTED MAY 12, 1908.

J. W. COOPER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

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No. 887,463. PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

7 J. W. COOPER.

ROTARY ENGINE. AAAAAAAAA 0N FILED ms.24,1907.

JOHN W. COOPER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 12, 1908.

Application filed August 24, 1907. Serial No. 389,988.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. COOPER, citizen of the United States, residing at Dorchester station, Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of. which the following is a specification.

Engines or motors of the rotary type have, for the most part, involved problematical construction to enable the steam or motive power to be economically and advantageously utilized in order to convert a maximum amount of units of force into available energy.

This invention has for its object to devise an engine of the rotary type which will utilize the steam or motive medium successively upon a concentric series of buckets, the leverage increasing proportionately as the force of the steam or motive medium diminishes in its successive utilization.

The invention also consists of a motor or turbine wheel of novel formation, the same consisting of complemental members or disks adapted to be pressed apart to insure the formation and maintenance of a steam tight joint between the outer face of each memher and the adjacent face or side of the wall provided with the steam ports and passages, thereby preventing loss of steam or motive power by leakage, which is a source of trouble in turbine engines, as heretofore generally constructed.

The invention also consists of the peculiar formation of the casing or rear wall separating the steam chest from the space in which the motor or turbine wheel operates, and in the novel arrangement of the passage ports in said wall, and cut ofl's cooperating with the ports to regulate the supply of steam or metive medium according to the load or to throw the forward speed out of action and the reverse into action, or vice versa.

The invention also further consists of the novel features, combinations of parts and peculiar construction, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and finally set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which corresponding and like parts are indicated by the same reference characters: Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of a turbine engine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the engine. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a portion of a member ofa motor or turbine wheel and the adjacent wall ofthe steam chest having the cooperating ports, said parts being illustrated on a larger scale. Fig. 4 is a side view of a wall of the chest as seen from the face adjacent to the motor or turbine wheel, taken 011 the line z2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a face view of the motoror turbine wheel on the line 2 y of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 96-30 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 isa sectional view of a portion of the motor wheel and wall on the line w'w of Fig. 4.

The engine shaft 1 is mounted in brackets or other suitable bearing supports 2 and has the motor or turbine wheel fast thereto. A countcrshaft 3 is suitably geared to the engine shaft 1 and power is taken therefrom for driving the desired machinery to be operated. The countershaft, gearing connecting the same with the engine shaft and adjunctive parts, form no part of the present invention and may be of any desired construction.

The casing is preferably formed of similar parts or sections which are bolted or otherwise securely connected by fastenings passed through outer flanges, the latter extending wholly around the circumference of the casing to admit of the sections or parts being flrmly connected at every point to prevent leak. A steam inlet 4 is provided in each side of the casing, and the pipe leading from the boiler or other source of supply of the motive medium is adapted to make connection. with the inlets 4 in any well known manner. Each part or section 5 of the easing has its rim or flange contracted at 6 and flared at 7, the flared portions terminating in outer flanges which are apertured to receive the fastenings, and said flared portions inclosing a space 8 forming the exhaust which entirely surrounds the periphery of the motor or turbine wheel. A plate or disk 9 is fitted within the contracted rim portion 6 of each section or part 5 of the casing, and is provided with concentric flanges 10 and 11 which space it from the inner side of the section 5 so as to form a space 12 corresponding to the chest which receives the steam or other motive medium employed for driving the engine. Studs 13 project from the plate or disk 9 to a distance equal to the depth of the flanges 10 and 11 and touch the inner side of the section or part 5 and thereby brace the walls of the chest. Machine in the plates, disks or walls 9.

screws or fastenings pass through the heads or outer walls of the casing and are threaded into the flanges 10 and 11 and the studs 13, and connect said walls. The plates or disks 9 constitute the inner walls of the steam chests and clear the contracted rim portions 6 to admit of the exhaust ports opening at their outer ends into the exhaust passage 8. The several ports and passages are formed The inlet ports 14 extend through the walls and are located nearest the axis of the engine and their delivery ends curve so as to direct the steam or motive medium upon the buckets, flights or abutments of the motor or turbine wheel to secure the best possible results.

Passages 15 are formed between opposite faces of the walls, and terminate in ports 16 and 17. The passages 15 are curved in their length in two directions, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4. The ports 16 bear on the same circle as the inlet ports 14, whereas the ports 17 are located some distance from the port 16. The ports 16 receive the steam or motive medium after it has expended its force upon the first series of buckets or flights, and the ports 17 admit or direct steam or motive medium escaping from the first set of buckets to the second set of buckets. The passages and ports 15, 16 and 17 are located intermediate the ports 14. Other passages 18, formed in the walls 9, have ports 19 and 20, the ports 19 being at the inner ends of the passages and the ports 20 at the outer ends of said passages. The passages 18 are curved in their length similar to the passages 15. The ports 19 bear on a circle connecting the ports 17 so that the steam or motive medium, after exerting its force upon the second set of buckets or flights, escapes through the ports 19 into the passages 18, and thence through the ports 20 to the third set of buckets or flights. Passages 21 extend through the outer or peripheral edge of the walls 9 and their inner ends communicate with lateral ports 22 which open through the same side of the walls as the ports 16, 17, 19 and 20. The steam or motive medium, after expending its force upon the third series of buckets, escapes through the ports 22 into the passages 21, thence into the exhaust space 8. Passages 23, formed in the outer portion of each wall 9, are curved throughout their length and communicate with ports 24 and 25. Theports 24 open through the side of the wall facing the chest or space 12, whereas the ports 25 open through the opposite face or that adjacent to themotor or turbine wheel. The passages 23 curve in an opposite direction to the passages 15 and 18, so as to direct the steam or motive medium to the fourth set of buckets in an opposite direction to drive the engine in a reverse direction to the forward speed. Ports 26 communicate with the passages 21 and receive the exhaust steam or motive medium from the fourth set of buckets. For controlling the inlet ports 24 and 14, cut off valves 27 and 28 are provided, the same being of annular formation and having a concentric arrangement. The cut off valves 27 and 28 are arranged in the respective chests 12 and held against the sides of the walls 9 facing the said chest and obtain a snug fit thereon to prevent any waste or leakage of steam when the valves are moved to cut off the supply of motive medium to both sets of inlet ports 14'and 24. The inner edge of the cut off valve 27 is toothed, as shown at 29, whereas the outer edge of the cut off valve 28 is toothed, as indicated at 30. A pinion 31 is in mesh with the two portions 29 and 30 of the put o'lfvalves 27 and 28 and is fast to the inner end of a stem 32 which projects beyond the outer side of the casing and is adapted to receive a suitable handle or tool to admit of turning the pinion to move the cut off valves in the required direction. The parts are so arranged that both sets of inlet ports '14 and 24 may be closed at the same time, but only one or the other opened at the same instant, so that the engine may be either driven forward or reverse. The motor or turbine wheel consists of two members or disks 33 which are mounted upon the engine shaft 1 to rotate therewith, but are free to have a limited movement upon said shaft. Springs 34 are interposed between the members or disks 33 to press them apart and against the adjacent faces of the walls 9. A hub 35 is keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 1 and is provided with an outer flange 36 from opposite sides of which project pins 37 which pass through openings formed in the inner portions of the rotary members 33 to cause them and the hub and shaft to rotate as one part. Each member or disk 33 is provided in its outer face with a concentric series of buckets 38, 39, 40 and 41. The buckets of the series 38, 39 and 40 face in an opposite direction to the buckets of the outer or fourth series 41 and cooperate to drive the engine forward, whereas the buckets 41 operate to drive the engine in an opposite or reverse direction. The steam entering the inlets 4, expends its force on the buckets 38 and is then exhausted through the ports 16 and passages 15 and delivered through ports 17 to the buckets 39, and after acting thereon is again exhausted through the ports 19 and passages 18 and delivered through the ports 20 to the buckets 40 and is finally exhausted through the posts 22 and passages 21 into the space 8, from which it passes off through the exhaust outlet 42. To reverse the engine the valves 27 and 28 are operated to cover the ports 14 and open the ports '24, when the steam or motive medium will pass from the chests 12 through the ports 24, passages 23 and ports 25 to the reverse buckets 41. The steam, after expending its force upon the buckets 41, escapes through the ports 26 into the passages 21, thence into the exhaust space 8. To prevent steam or j motive medium escaping or leaking from one set of buckets to the other, each member 33 is provided in the face having the buckets with concentric grooves 43 to receive corresponding concentric tongues 44, formed upon the adjacent faces of thewalls 9. The tongues and grooves 44 and 43 are of wedge form to maintain a steam tight joint and to compensate for wear, the parts being selfadjusting by reason of the action of the springs 44 in normally exerting an outer pres sure upon the members Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a turbine engine, the combination of a casing provided at one side with a chest to receive the motive medium, and having ports formed in the inner wall of said chest, an engine shaft, and a motor wheel, the latter comprising two members, one of which is movable and provided upon the side adjacent to the chest with buckets and adapted to be normally pressed against the wall of said chest to maintain a tight joint.

2. In a turbine engine, the combination of a casing having a chest upon a side and having ports formed in the inner wall of said chest, an engine shaft, and a motor or turbine wheel mounted upon said shaft and consisting of two members relatively movable and adapted to be pressed apart and against the inner sides of the casing, the member adj a cent to the wall of the chest provided with ports having buckets upon the side adjacent to said chest.

3. In a turbine engine, the combination of a casing having a chest upon one side and having a series of ports and passages formed in the inner wall of said chest, an engine shaft, and a turbine wheel mounted upon said engine shaft andv having a concentric series of buckets in the face adjacent to the inner wall of the aforesaid chest and having concentric tongues and grooves of approximately Wedge form between the mating faces of the turbine wheel and the wall of the chest having the ports formed therein.

4. In a turbine engine, the combination of a casing formed upon a side with a chest to receive the motive medium and having a se ries of ports and passages formed in the inner wall of the chest, a motor wheel having a concentric series of buckets upon the side adjacent to the wall of the chest having the ports nd. passages formed therein, the outermost buckets facing in an opposite direction to the other buckets to admit of reversing the en gine, a cut off valve arranged in the chest for controlling the inlet ports to the bucket of the first and last of the series.

5. In a turbine engine, the combination of a casing provided with a chest having a concentric series of ports and passages formed in its inner wall, and having the outermost passage leading through the edge of the wall and in communication with an exhaust and hav ing two sets of ports in communication with saidv passages, and a motor w heel having a concentric series of buckets in the side adjacent to the face of the inner wall of the chest having the ports and passages formed therein, the outermost set of buckets facing in an op posite direction to the other buckets for reversing the engine and adapted to register alternately with the outermost inlet and ex haust ports, and the first set of buckets adapted to register alternately with the inlet eX haust ports, the said ports and passages being arranged substantially as disclosed to ad mitof the successive use of the steam or metive medium from the first to the last set of buckets but one in the operation of the 011- gine.

6. In a turbine engine, the combination of a casing provided at opposite sides with chests for reception of the motive medium and having ports and passages formed in the inner walls of said chests, an engine shaft, a lmb fast to said engine shaft and having an outer flange provided with pins projecting from opposite sides, a motor wheel compris ing two members mounted upon the hub and having openings to receive the said pins, said members having buckets in the sides adjacent to the walls of the chest having the ports and passages formed. therein, and springs interposed between the said members of the motor wheel to force them apart and in close contact with the adjacent faces of the walls of the chests.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN COOPER. IVitnesses:

V. B. IIILLYARD, V. N. I/VoonsoN. 

